If you need to know which are the calcium reference ranges or you require more information about the role of calcium in the blood, you can visit normal calcium level in the blood
Calcium in the blood can be free or bound to proteins or other substances. Free calcium is also called ionized calcium. 40% of calcium in the blood is free (ionized), 50% is bound to proteins (albumin mainly) and only 10% is bound to other elements (phosphorus, etc.)
In this document, we speak about total blood calcium. Sometimes, a blood test only measures free or ionized calcium, so the results are more or less 40% of the ranges showed above.
Blood albumin levels bound to calcium can alter the total blood calcium level. However, albumin level does not alter ionized calcium. Calcium biological functions depend mainly on ionized calcium rather than on total calcium.
Hypercalcemia or high blood calcium levels are typical of multiple medical condition, including hyperparathyroidism, Addison's disease, hyperthyroidism, etc. It can been seen also in case of bone cancer, if vitamin D intake is excessive or if you are taking thiazide diuretics.
Calcium blood values are usually given in mg/dl but sometimes you can see those values in mmol/l following the International System of Units (SI). In case your values are in mmol/l you can convert them using this tool:
Calcium blood levels are higher than normal but if you do not have any other symptom it is usually not a concern. Maybe you take too much calcium or vitamin D in your diet. It is advisable to limit your dairy and milk intake and to drink more water every day.
Calcium blood levels are moderately high and you may require medication to lower this level if your doctor considers it appropriate.
Your calcium blood level is so high that you are probably suffering from bone pain, muscle weakness, confusion or fatigue.
You may require hospitalization because it is very important to avoid any possible damage to your kidneys and bones.
At these high levels of calcium in blood, coma and cardiac arrest are a possibility. You must find urgent medical attention.
There are many medical conditions why the calcium blood levels can be higher than normal:
If your calcium blood level is slightly high, you can consider the following tips:
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The following values are considered to be above the normal range:
IMPORTANT: These levels are expressed in mg/dl. They are an example of a healthy man of about 45 years old with no known disease and not taking any medication. The ranges can be different depending on the laboratory or on your personal circumstances.
Calcium | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild hypercalcemia | |||||||
| 11 mg/dL | 11.1 mg/dL | 11.2 mg/dL | 11.3 mg/dL | 11.4 mg/dL | 11.5 mg/dL | ||
| Moderate hypercalcemia | |||||||
| 11.6 mg/dL | 11.7 mg/dL | 11.8 mg/dL | 11.9 mg/dL | 12 mg/dL | 12.1 mg/dL | 12.2 mg/dL | 12.3 mg/dL |
| 12.4 mg/dL | 12.5 mg/dL | ||||||
| Marked hypercalcemia | |||||||
| 12.6 mg/dL | 12.7 mg/dL | 12.8 mg/dL | 12.9 mg/dL | 13 mg/dL | 13.1 mg/dL | 13.2 mg/dL | 13.3 mg/dL |
| 13.4 mg/dL | 13.5 mg/dL | 13.6 mg/dL | 13.7 mg/dL | 13.8 mg/dL | 13.9 mg/dL | 14 mg/dL | |
| Severe hypercalcemia | |||||||
| 14.1 mg/dL | 14.2 mg/dL | 14.3 mg/dL | 14.4 mg/dL | 14.5 mg/dL | 14.6 mg/dL | 14.7 mg/dL | 14.8 mg/dL |
| 14.9 mg/dL | 15 mg/dL | 15.1 mg/dL | 15.2 mg/dL | 15.3 mg/dL | 15.4 mg/dL | 15.5 mg/dL | 15.6 mg/dL |
| 15.7 mg/dL | 15.8 mg/dL | 15.9 mg/dL | 16 mg/dL | ||||
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